Two complementary studies on recreational boating in Mallorca are published in the journal Ocean & Coastal Management.

The following complementary studies have been published by members of the SIAS Division in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management (see attached files):

1. Balaguer, P, Diedrich, A, Sardá, R, Fuster, M, Cañellas, T, Tintoré, J. 2011. Spatial Analysis of Recreational Boating Activity as a Key Step for Marine Spatial Planning in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Ocean and Coastal Management 54: 241.249.

2. Diedrich, A, Balaguer, P, Tintoré, J. 2011. Methodology for Applying the Limits of Acceptable Change Process to the Management of Recreational Boating in the Balearic Islands, Spain (Western Mediterranean). Ocean and Coastal Management 54: 341-351.

Both of these studies respond to the primary objective of the SIAS Division to develop practical scientific tools and methods to support decision-making related to sustainability in the coastal zone of the Balearic Islands. This research was conducted in 2008 - 2009 as part of the LIMCosta Mallorca Project, a study funded by the Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca in collaboration with IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB) to identify potential limits to growth in the coastal zone of Mallorca.

The first study (Balaguer et al. 2011) presents a spatial analysis and estimation of pressure (physical carrying capacity) of recreational boating along the coast of Mallorca. The study combines data from the natural (habitats, geology), physical (wave patterns), and social sciences (survey interviews), using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as the main analytical tool. The final result is an estimate of the average amount of seabed available for anchoring during the highest levels of boating activity in Mallorca (i.e. summer high season) based on a number of different sustainability scenarios (i.e. average distance between boats, weather conditions). In addition to being applicable to any location wishing to manage recreational boating activity, the methodology presented in this study represents an integrated, multidisciplinary approach which could be applied to a number of management scenarios with a spatial dimension in marine environments.

The second study (Diedrich et al. 2011) presents a simple methodological approach, based on the Limits of Acceptable Change process, to support the formulation of management measures for recreational boating in bays. Management measures have been determined using statistical and geospatial analyses of data of biophysical characteristics, use, and user perceptions in a bay on the island of Mallorca. The results suggest that the optimal use level of the study site is being surpassed and a range of potential management options is provided. This methodology is applicable to additional management scenarios where balancing social and environmental needs is necessary and should be implemented as part of a broader Integrated Coastal Zone Management framework.